Chapter Twenty-Four
By the ti Arabella arrived at the dining hall doors, her heart was already beating faster than usual.
Two guards stood stationed at the entrance like unmoving statues. The mont they saw her approach, they bowed slightly and pushed the grand doors open.
Arabella stepped in alone, Lily remained behind, as custom demanded.
The sight that greeted her nearly stole her breath away.
Her eyes widened in astonishnt.
She had eaten in this hall before, but tonight... it was completely different.
The long dining table she rembered had been transford into sothing far more magnificent. Elegant lights hung from above, casting a warm golden glow across the room.
The entire hall shimred with quiet luxury. Rows of neatly lined maids stood at attention along the walls, their presence both graceful and intimidating.
Everything felt... grander.
More deliberate.
More dangerous.
Her gaze slowly moved across the room until it landed on the table.
It was already filled.
So faces were familiar, breeders she had seen before, lords she vaguely recognized. Others were strangers, their presence adding to her unease.
Arabella inhaled softly.
Calm down.
She lifted her chin, forcing confidence into her posture as she stepped forward. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she refused to let it show, her red gown shimred in the night light cathing everyone’s eyes including Aurora.
No one would see her nervous.
Reaching the table, she greeted those present politely before taking a brief pause.
"You must be Arabella?"
The voice was bright and warm.
Arabella turned to see a beautiful young woman smiling at her, her expression open and welcoming.
"Yes... I am," Arabella replied.
"I’m Celia," the woman said cheerfully. "A breeder, just like you. Co, sit here."
Before Arabella could respond, Celia gently pulled her closer and guided her into the seat beside her.
Arabella didn’t resist.
There was sothing comforting about her energy.
But not everyone shared that warmth.
A soft scoff cut through the air.
"Maybe because the king chose you himself, you now think you’re above everyone else," Lady Sabrina said sharply. "Arriving almost at the sa ti as the king... how bold."
Arabella lifted her head, eting Sabrina’s gaze briefly.
But she said nothing.
She had just arrived. The last thing she wanted was unnecessary conflict.
"I believe Lady Arabella arrived before the king," Celia interjected smoothly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And you have no right to question her."
Sabrina’s lips tightened.
Though clearly displeased, she said nothing further, only casting Arabella a glare before looking away.
The tension lingered.
Not far from them, Lord Septimus watched the exchange with a quiet, amused smile. He leaned back slightly in his chair, clearly entertained by the subtle clash.
He had no strong opinion about the new breeder yet.
But he was curious.
Very curious.
The king might deny it all he wanted, but Septimus had eyes, and he knew what he saw.
Enzo’s reactions around that girl were... different.
Too different.
He had even executed two maids over sothing related to her.
That alone said enough.
Beside him, Lord Vealor sat in silence, his expression unreadable, but his mind anything but calm.
He observed Arabella carefully.
asured her.
Calculated.
And slowly began considering the many ways she could be removed from the equation.
"Hope I’m not late."
The deep, commanding voice instantly silenced the room.
All eyes turned.
King Enzo had arrived.
He stepped into the hall with effortless authority, dressed in a black shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing his sculpted chest. His hair was slicked back neatly, and his dark trousers completed the look.
He looked... dangerously handso.
Every breeder at the table felt it.
Their gazes lingered.
Even Arabella couldn’t help herself.
"I don’t think the king can ever be late to his subjects," Aurora said softly, her tone sweet and calculated.
For so reason, that irritated Arabella.
She rolled her eyes slightly, subtle, but not subtle enough.
Enzo noticed.
A faint flicker passed through his gaze.
Everyone rose to their feet in greeting.
The king walked to the head of the table and took his seat, gesturing for the others to follow. He sniffed the air and the strong scent of lavender and orchids filed the air almost intoxicating.
As they sat, his eyes moved slowly across the table...
Until they landed on Arabella.
And lingered.
Sothing dark flashed in his expression.
The sight of her, dressed so beautifully, sitting there like sothing delicate and untouchable, stirred sothing dangerous within him. The thought that she was oozing out a delicious scent did not seat well with him.
The red gown was putting on did not only shine brighter in the night light but it also exposed half of her shoulder.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes darkened with disapproval.
To him, she looked like a butterfly...
One that anyone could chase.
And he didn’t like that thought.
Not at all.
Arabella t his gaze head-on, unflinching.
Her eyes questioned him silently.
What did I do?
The unspoken challenge hung between them.
The shift in atmosphere was imdiate.
The king grew quiet.
Too quiet.
Even Lord Vealor noticed.
He subtly turned to Aurora, giving her a pointed look, a silent reminder of her mission.
Aurora straightened slightly.
She had not missed the exchange.
And she did not like it.
Not one bit.
Why does he look at her like that?
She was seated right beside him.
Yet it was as if she didn’t exist.
"Serve the al."
Enzo’s voice cut through the tension.
At once, the maids moved in perfect unison, disappearing into the kitchen and returning monts later with trays of food.
Soon, the table was filled with dishes.
The maids bowed and exited, leaving the guests in privacy.
"Your Majesty," Lord Vealor began smoothly, "the full moon is approaching. Will there be a hunt this ti, like before?"
It was a calculated move, to shift the king’s attention.
Enzo leaned back slightly.
"I haven’t decided yet," he said. "What do you suggest?"
His gaze drifted, not to Vealor...
But to Aurora.
She had been inching closer.
He gave her a charming smile.
Aurora’s face lit up instantly.
Around the table, reactions varied.
The king was on the verge of loosing his control and pinning Arabella on that table so he has to distract himself with Aurora.
Lord Septimus watched with growing amusent.
Celia remained uninterested, focusing on her al.
Lord Vealor, however, was pleased.
Perhaps things were not as bad as he feared.
"My king," Vealor continued carefully, "I would suggest there be no hunt this ti."
Enzo humd.
"Go on."
"We are Lycans," Vealor said. "The longer we deny our beasts, the more feral we beco. You, in particular, have been suppressing your rut for far too long and it has a repercussion"
He paused.
But he didn’t need to finish.
Everyone understood. The repercussion being
If the king continued like this...
He would lose control and go mad
Arabella glanced at Enzo.
But he only smirked.
Unbothered.
The food was finally served.
Enzo reached for a piece of roasted chicken...
And placed so onto Aurora’s plate.
Arabella saw it.
And instantly regretted looking.
Her grip on her fork tightened.
Without realizing it, she began stabbing into her food, again and again.
The motion was sharp.
Aggressive and childish.
Enzo noticed.
And inwardly, he smiled.
"Sorry we’re late."
Lucien’s voice broke through the mont as he entered the hall, accompanied by his cousin, Ryan.
"So matters required attention," Lucien added
casually.
"No problem," Enzo replied. "You arrived just in ti."
Ryan stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Enzo’s face softened.
"Ryan," he said warmly. "You’ve grown. It seems like only yesterday you were but a cub. Any mate yet?"
Ryan chuckled.
"No, Your Majesty."
"You should travel more," Enzo advised, patting his back. "You might find her in another kingdom... perhaps even among the werewolves."
"You are always welco in the North," Lord Septimus added. "We have the most beautiful won in the kingdom."
"That is kind of you," Ryan said. "When I plan to visit I will write to inform you" and Lord Septimus nodded in agreent
He then scanned the table...
And took the only available seat.
Right beside Arabella.
Vealor’s voice ca again.
"What beauty does the North have that the South lacks?" he countered. "You should visit the South, Lord Ryan. Our won are unmatched. Even the king would agree."
The sudden remark caught Enzo off guard.
But instead of responding, he turned to Aurora, who had leaned closer, whispering sothing to him.
He took her hand.
Lifted it.
And pressed a kiss against her knuckles.
The room stilled. Aurora smiles brightened, she nearly fell from the kings affection, it made her dizzy.
Arabella nearly choked.
Does he have to be so shaless and brazen?
Her chest tightened painfully.
So this was it.
This was what they ant.
Aurora had the king’s favor.
And she... ant nothing.
The way he held her in her bedchambers earlier... she thought it ant sothing to him
It must have been her imagination.
A mistake.
Her heart ached as she looked away, refusing to
let anyone see the hurt in her eyes.
"Hello."
Ryan’s voice pulled her back.
"I’m Ryan. You must be the new breeder?"
Arabella exhaled sharply.
"Is that everyone’s opening line?" she snapped.
"Can’t you talk to without attaching ’breeder’ to my na?"
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